It's not every year that an athlete plays on both sides of the ball for the Midland High football team. In fact there are only a handful of players who have done so in the past few years.

The list of players who played significant roles on both offense and defense for the Bulldogs include some of the best athletes Midland High has produced in the past 10 years such as Baron Batch, Antwan Goodley, Kierre Woods and Tyler Middleton.

But even those players didn't see a lot of playing time on both sides of the ball in their senior years, which is what makes Landon Dory's role as a tight end and defensive end for the Bulldogs this season so special.

"We've had a few sophomore or juniors who were two-way players, but it's rare for us to do that," Midland High coach Craig Yenzer said. "Some of those kids who are tremendous athletes have done it. You have to be careful to not hinder a player's growth by playing them two ways.

"But with Landon we saw a kid who has had tremendous physical and mental growth. We saw a kid who was (6-foot- 4), 225 pounds, could run a 4.6 40 and power clean 305. He's such a great athlete we had to get him on the field more."

Dory saw playing time at tight last season as a junior, but did more blocking than anything, catching just one pass for two yards. He never stepped on the field to play defensive end.

This season has been different as will be seen when the Bulldogs (1-1) open District 2-5A play against Amarillo Tascosa (0-3, 0-1 in 2-5A) at 7:30 p.m. today at Grande Communications Stadium.

While he only has one catch for 10 yards through two games this season, Dory has already been targeted more as a receiver as a senior than he was his entire junior year. Not to mention, he's seeing significant playing time at defensive end with his snaps on that side of the ball only likely to increase as the season progresses.

"I enjoy both positions," Dory said. "I like the responsibilities of both and the leadership position both put me in. I want to keep doing both as long as I can. If I had to pick one I'd probably go straight defense. It's more fun to hit than be hit. But, I wouldn't give up offense at all."

The Bulldogs coaching staff decided to try Dory at defensive end as well as tight end at the start of spring practice in May. It didn't take long for Dory to take to a position he hadn't played since he was a sophomore.

"The moment they stuck me in there I realized I could hang with those guys," Dory said. "I realized I could contribute at both positions."

There's one considerable difference in Dory and the other guys who have played both ways during Yenzer's tenure as the Bulldogs' head coach. The other guys who have lined up on both sides of the ball, such as Batch and Goodley, have been skill position players. Meanwhile, Dory is lining up in the trenches on offense and defense.

"It's probably a little easier for a skill position player to do it," Yenzer said. "It's really hard for the bigger guys to do it because Class 5A football is so much more physical than the lower classifications. There's no break for the guys on the line. You're getting banged on every play."

And, Dory certainly feels the physical nature of the game every day in practice. While the other Bulldogs starters spend their practice time refining their skills at one position, Dory is in the trenches on both sides of the ball experiencing the physical contact of the game.

"I'm definitely worn out after practice," Dory said. "But I like getting to see both sides of the ball and seeing what I'm up against. I think I get a chance to see what our opponent is doing more than the other guys, so it lets me help my teammates more."

Dory admits his dual-role with the team was staggering at first, but he wouldn't have any other way now.

"It was kind of overwhelming because I was expected to be a starter and leader on offense and now I'm expected to be a starter on defense, too," Dory said. "It was a little overwhelming, but I accepted it and now there's no way I will stop doing it."

Last meeting/series: Midland High 21, Tascosa 18 (2009); Midland High leads series 11-1.

Weather forecast: Clear skies with a temperature of 89 at game time, dropping into the low 80s later in the night.

Notes

n Midland High has been preparing heavily for Amarillo Tascosa's triple-option offense, which is run out of the double slot, or flexbone, formation. It's a considerable change from the spread offenses Midland High has seen from El Paso Coronado and Southlake Carroll.

"We have to be more precise in our assignments," Midland High senior defensive end Landon Dory said. "A lot more can go wrong if we don't stick to our assignments this week."

n Tascosa is led by senior Peyton Brooks, who will line up at various positions on offense, including quarterback. Brooks is just one of the athletes that has caught Midland High coach Craig Yenzer's attention.

"They've got impressive players at the skill positions," Yenzer said. "They're a scary team because of their athletes at skill positions and their size on both the offensive and defensive lines."

n Tascosa has struggled with turnovers this season, and is currently last in the District 2-5A with a minus-6 turnover differential.

n Midland High has lost to Tascosa just once in 12 games played against the Rebels. Tascosa's lone win came in 1977, 14-7.

n The Bulldogs expect to be without two key pieces in their secondary with senior safety Brent Stewart likely to be out with a mild concussion, while sophomore safety Kohl Fritschen is out with a knee injury he suffered during practice last week. At best, Stewart will be limited tonight. Tascosa coach Ken Plunk said his team is as healthy as it has been this season.